My Story

Pasojoc III, where your child lives, is located in an extremely remote area of the mountains in Quiche, Guatemala.  Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is a 3-hour walk to the nearest market town.  The people who inhabit the area Quiche Mayans who can trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  Then normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche, however, Spanish is becoming more common.  The climate is basically warm, but it can get very cold at night.  Houses in this area are typically constructed of adobe with tin sheet or tile roofs and dirt floors.  Pasojoc III is an area rich with natural resources.  It is a farming area where the inhabitants grow staples such as corn, beans and other types of vegetables.  Many families also raise domestic animals such as sheep, goats, cows and chickens.

Hello! My name is Tomasa Isabela Hernandez Calachij and I was born on December 18, 2021. I am 4 years old and I am a healthy girl. I am not enrolled at school yet due to my young age, but I enjoy my time by playing with toy dishes at home. My favorite color is orange and I like pigs. I love to eat fried chicken and along with my family we attend the Catholic Church. I am blessed because my mother accompanies my siblings and me to the Feeding Center. We walk one hour to arrive there. I want to tell you that my brother Jose was living with my maternal grandparents, but she returned to live with us six months ago and we are so happy. My mother`s name is Magdalena Calachij Garcia and my father`s name is Marcos Hernandez Alonzo. He lives with the family and he earns a living by working as a farmer and day laborer. Moreover, he travels to the coast from November to February to pick coffee beans. My mother is a housewife and she raises hens, pigs and sheep to sell and get some income. We are a humble people and our current needs are groceries and clothing, but by the grace of God my whole family is in good health.

We live in our own house. We have two rooms and a separated kitchen. The walls are made of tin sheet and wooden with tin sheet roof and dirt floors. We get water from a nearby river by connecting a hose and we use solar panels to get electricity. We have hens, pigs and sheep at home. It was a blessing for me to share to you my personal information. Blessings to you in the name of Jesus!

A bunch of hugs,

Tomasa Isabela Hernandez Calachij

Translated by:  Gladys Chavez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua